Ndondo – A Game Played by the Shona People of Africa

Ndondo is a traditional game played by Shona boys of the Tangwena people, living on the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The game is played with gourd shells, sticks, and corn cobs. 2 players or 2 teams face each other. The corn cobs are set up on both sides of the players. The ndondo is [...]

Senzenina – A Zulu Protest Song and Funeral Song

This is a protest song and it is traditionally sung at funerals. It was important during the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Senzenina means “What have we done” with the implication “what did we do to deserve this?” (Also spelled “senzeni na”.) Here [...]

Mama Lisa's World News and Multimedia Features

A significant part of the Mama Lisa sites is a large collection of songs and nursery rhymes from around the world. We currently have about 750 songs from around 90 countries and cultures. When you consider how many languages there are in those cultures – that's a lot of information! In [...]

Looking for Song from Zimbabwe called “Guru Ndiani”

Michelle wrote me... Hello! do you by any chance know of the song named Guru Ndiani from Zimbabwe? It is a children's game song similar to a ring around the rosie type of song. Thank you, I appreciate it. Michelle If anyone is familiar with this song, please post it in the comments below. [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Polish Song?

Sylvia emailed us asking for help with a Polish song her father and grandfather sang to her when she was young. Here's her email along with a recording of Sylvia singing the song: Recording of Song “Hi, I was wondering if you or anyone you know might be able to help me. My grandfather and [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Cuban Rhyme/Finger Play that starts with “Chiquitica así”?

Jeannie Backer wrote to us for help with a Cuban Finger Play. Here's her note... My mother from Cuba used to sing a song/rhyme to usthat I only partially remember, maybe you have heard something similar. It's not a song as much as a cute thing that a child says to adult to ask for

The [...]

About the Song “Cooma Lotta Veesay”

We received the note below with the song “Cooma Lotta Veesay”. Many variations of this song exist, including “Kumala Vista”. It also shares lyrics with the action song called “Flee, Fly, Flo“. Here's the email: “In the late 1950s, we lived near a [...]

Does anyone know this version of Catalina Matelina?

Dennis Lytle wrote to us asking for information about a rhyme: “Any info on the rhyme my parents taught us would be appreciated... I tell you bout vat girl of mine vat looks so sveet and dress so fine, vat come from Dootchland on the Rhine a couple of veeks ago. Her eyes are blue [...]

Make a Dragon Card for The Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is on February 10th this year. It's the year of the Dragon! The dragon symbolizes power, nobility and ambition. Since dragons are so cool, I decided to make homemade cards featuring them. Fortunately, there's a free tutorial online showing how to draw one. You can purchase [...]